A: Form 1099-R is a tax form required by the IRS to report any taxable distributions from retirement or profit-sharing plans, IRAs, SEPs, annuities or insurance certificates. Withdrawals, full surrenders, certificate maturities, death benefits and annuity income payments may result in a taxable gain, thus generating a 1099-R.

Form 1099-INT is a form required by the IRS to report cumulative annual payments of interest of $10 or more during the year. This includes interest earned on death claims; interest on dividends due to surrender, lapse, or maturity; and interest earned on dividend accumulations and premiums paid in advance.

Form 5498 is a form required by the IRS to report contributions (regular contributions and rollover contributions) on individual retirement arrangements, including Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE).

A: Modern Woodmen will generate 1099 forms for members and beneficiaries who require them in late January. All forms must be mailed by Jan. 31.

A: Forms 1099-R and 1099-INT are mailed on or before the IRS deadline of Jan. 31. Form 5498 is mailed on or before the IRS deadline of May 31.

A: The IRS deadline to mail forms 1099-R and 1099-INT is Jan. 31; the deadline for form 5498 is May 31. Before requesting a duplicate, please allow at least one week after these dates for delivery. To request a duplicate, contact Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central). Or email Service.Center@modern-woodmen.org.

A: One of three things happened last year:

• You received a distribution from one of your certificates or as a beneficiary.
• You earned interest on one of your certificates or as a beneficiary.
• The status of one of your certificates changed.

A: Yes, please call Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or toll-free at 800-447-9811. We will mail your form within five business days. (Please allow one week for delivery.)

A: Yes, please call Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or toll-free at 800-447-9811.

A: When Modern Woodmen pays a distribution to an IRA holder, we’re required to issue a 1099 tax form to the payee, indicating the amount of distribution.

• The distribution generally is not taxable if the IRA holder rolled it over to another IRA within 60 days of receipt.
• You, the taxpayer, must report the distribution and subsequent rollover of the IRA distribution on your federal income tax return (Form 1040).
• If your rollover was a direct IRA rollover from an employer-sponsored pension plan – including 401(k) and 403(b) TSA plans – a special distribution code of either G or H will be shown on the 1099 form.
• The receiving company confirms the IRA rollover for the tax year in which the rollover was made by sending Form 5498 to you and the IRS. (Form 5498 is for informational purposes only. It’s used to report contributions and rollovers to traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs. The form also reports the fair market value of your IRA account as of year-end. You don’t need to send Form 5498 to the IRS along with your return, but it’s important to keep this information for your records. Consult your tax advisor for more information.)

A: This difference usually occurs when a loan was outstanding on a cash surrender.

• Because the loan wasn’t considered taxable when issued, we now have to take the loan amount into consideration as part of the distribution upon surrender.
• The important amount on the tax form is the taxable amount shown in box 2a on the 1099-R. This is the amount you must include as income on your tax return.

A: Modern Woodmen must report the distribution if it was a direct payment to you. It’s up to you to show that you deposited the money into an allowable product (such as an IRA) within the 60-day time period. Form 5498 should be issued to you from the receiving company (typically in May).

A: Consult your tax advisor. You may need to amend your tax return.

A: Form 5498 is for informational purposes only and is not to be filed with your tax return. IRS regulations require we mail these forms no later than May 31st of the following year.

A: Please contact Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: Form 5498 includes all regular and Roth IRA contributions for the previous tax year and all regular and Roth IRA contributions made through April 15th that have been attributed to the previous tax year (if you so designated them). This form also shows contributions received by Modern Woodmen during the calendar year for SEP or SIMPLE certificates, regardless of the year for which the contributions were designated.

A: Death proceeds received from life insurance plans are not taxable. However, the interest paid on the death proceeds from the date of the insured’s death to the date of payment to the beneficiary is taxable.

A: The taxable gain is the value of the contract minus the cost basis. The cost basis is the net premiums paid into the certificate reduced by any dividends released or withdrawals made from the certificate.

A: If you had a loan on your certificate and there was any remaining value in the certificate, the nonforfeiture provision went into effect. (The nonforfeiture provision would have used the remaining value of the certificate to purchase either reduced paid-up insurance or extended term insurance.) If there was no remaining value, the certificate lapsed. The loan was repaid from the values in the certificate, but a reportable event occurred.

IRS regulations require Modern Woodmen to report the gain on certificates that enter their nonforfeiture provision or lapse when there is an outstanding loan. For more information, contact our Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: Hardship is not considered an exemption from the federal premature distribution penalty.

A: Even though a distribution is reportable, it does not necessarily mean it is taxable. All 1035 exchanges are reportable and the distribution code of “6” (box 7 of form 1099-R) indicates to the IRS that it was a tax-free 1035 exchange. However, if the certificate had a loan balance at the time of the 1035 exchange, IRS regulations require us to calculate and report the taxable gain in the year of the exchange.

A: The taxable amount is based on the guaranteed cash value, not the proceeds. The guaranteed value includes the amount of the surrender as well as any unpaid certificate loan and previous dividend releases.

A: Although interest accumulated is not paid to you in cash, it is added back into the value of the certificate. The interest must be reported to the IRS as income for the year in which it was earned.

A: Modern Woodmen was founded as a fraternal benefit society. That means we’re a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(8) that has a fraternal purpose, operates under a lodge system (we call them “chapters”), and provides for the payment of life, sick, accident or other benefits for its members. Learn more in the About Us section.

A: When you join Modern Woodmen, you become a member of the organization. Members:

• Support Modern Woodmen’s emphasis on financial security, quality family life and community impact.
• Can trust Modern Woodmen for help with their financial needs, such as life insurance and retirement planning.
• Can access a variety of exclusive member programs – from travel opportunities to a grant for doing good in your community to relief for premium payments in times of financial hardship and more.

A: You can contact a licensed Modern Woodmen financial representative to ask for a free quote based on your needs and budget. Go to Find a Rep and enter your ZIP code or city/state to access a list of representatives.

If you’re already a member, your current Modern Woodmen representative will be happy to assist you! Simply enter your representative’s name using the Find a Rep search tool to access his or her contact information. You can also log in to your online member account, where you’ll find your rep’s name and contact information.

A: Simply enter your representative’s name using the Find a Rep search tool to access his or her contact information. You can also log on to your online member account, where you’ll find your rep’s name and contact information.

A: Members with Equitable Reserve Association-issued certificates should be aware of the following:

• There is a dedicated toll-free number for Modern Woodmen members with ERA-issued certificates. You can reach an ERA service representative at 800-722-1574, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Central).
• While you may register for an online member account, your certificate information will not be viewable.
• Partial withdrawals are not available on ERA-issued life insurance certificates.
• On most ERA-issued certificates, the applicant has ownership of the certificate until the certificate anniversary following the child’s 16th birthday. This timing can vary. Contact the ERA Service Center at 800-722-1574 for more information.

A: Due to privacy legislation passed by the US Congress, Modern Woodmen cannot release information that may exist in our records about a deceased relative’s membership.

A: Fraudulent emails typically include website links and/or request you to provide personal information. Modern Woodmen’s headquarters will never initiate a request for sensitive information via email.

If you suspect you've gotten a fraudulent e-mail, please report it immediately by calling Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

Visit Modern Woodmen’s Information Security page to learn more about our commitment to protecting members’ information.

A: The applicant is the person applying for life insurance. This is often the same as the owner and can be the same as the insured.

The assignee is the person or entity who takes ownership of a certificate after a request is filed.

The beneficiary is the person, group or entity that receives the benefits from the certificate when the insured dies.

The insured is the person who is covered under the policy. This can be the same as the owner.

The owner, or policyholder, is the person or entity who is responsible for the premium payments of a certificate or annuity.

A: A life insurance rider is a coverage feature that may be added to qualifying life insurance certificates. The addition of riders is optional and may result in additional premium payments. Additional underwriting may be required, and state variations may apply.

A: You can update your address through your online member account. Visit Member Login to access the online form now. Or contact your financial representative for help updating your information.

A: You can update your name through your online member account. Visit Member Login to access the online form now. Or contact your financial representative for help updating your information.

A: Account holders may change certain beneficiary designation(s) on their certificate by logging into their online member account. Alternatively, members may complete a beneficiary change form and send it to Modern Woodmen’s headquarters:

• Mail the form to P.O. Box 2005, Rock Island, IL 61204-2005.
• Fax the form to 309-793-5547.

Your Modern Woodmen financial representative can also help you change your principal and contingent beneficiary designation(s). Find your representative’s contact information by visiting the Find A Rep page.

A: We would be happy to send you a certification of insurance or confirmation of annuity form. These forms provide information on your certificate. Simply e-mail Service.Center@modern-woodmen.org. Or call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: The applicant (the person who applied for the insurance) has ownership of the certificate until the child’s 21st birthday. At age 21, control automatically passes to the insured person. (Or, if the original certificate was issued in New York, control passes to the insured on his or her 16th birthday.) At that time, the applicant will no longer be able to request information or make changes.

For Equitable Reserve Association certificates, ownership transfer ages may be different. Contact our home office Service Center by email at Service.Center@modern-woodmen.org, or call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central), for more information.

A: In order to change applicants on a child’s certificate, a change of applicant form must be completed by both the current applicant and the new applicant.

If the child is 16 years or older, the current applicant may release control of the certificate to the insured. A release of control form needs to be completed in this case. The child would then be the sole owner of the insurance.

A: Yes. You can “absolutely assign” your life insurance to another person or entity, but the decision should be made with great care. Once a life insurance certificate is absolutely assigned, the insured (you) no longer has any control over the certificate. The new owner of the certificate (the assignee) is the only person who can request changes or ask for information from Modern Woodmen.

To change ownership, complete this printable absolute assignment form, get your signature notarized and send it to our home office. Mail the form to P.O. Box 2005, Rock Island, IL 61204-2005.

A: Yes, you can “absolutely assign” your annuity to another person or entity – but only if you have a nonqualified annuity. Qualified annuities, like an IRAs or RIRAs, cannot be assigned.

This decision should be made with great care. Once a nonqualified annuity is absolutely assigned to someone else, this also transfers the tax obligations to the new owner. The annuitant (you) no longer has control over the certificate. The new owner of the certificate (the assignee) is the only person who can request changes or ask for information from Modern Woodmen.

To change ownership, complete this printable absolute assignment form, get your signature notarized and send it to our home office. Mail the form to P.O. Box 2005, Rock Island, IL 61204-2005.

A: Depending on your state, you may be able to assign your life insurance to a funeral home. Contact our home office Service Center by email at Service.Center@modern-woodmen.org, or call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central), to find out if your state will allow assignments to a funeral home.

A: There are two types of assignments:

• An absolute assignment gives all ownership rights of the life insurance or annuity certificate to another person or entity.
• With a collateral assignment, the insured and the assignee share joint control over the values in the certificate. Any release of values from the certificate requires the approval of both parties.

A: Yes, you can “collaterally assign” your life insurance certificate as security for payment of a debt. That means the insured (you) and the assignee (the person or entity you appoint) share joint control over the value in the insurance. Both parties would need to approve any release of value from the insurance.

To collaterally assign your certificate, complete this printable collateral assignment form, get your signature notarized and send it to our home office. Mail the form to P.O. Box 2005, Rock Island, IL 61204-2005.

A: Yes, you can “collaterally assign” your annuity as security for payment of a debt – but only if you have a nonqualified annuity. Qualified annuities, like an IRAs or RIRAs, cannot be collaterally assigned.

When you collaterally assign an annuity, the gain at the time of the assignment is reported to the annuitant (you) as taxable income. You will receive a tax form 1099-R the following January. While your annuity is collaterally assigned, you and the assignee share control of the value in the certificate. Both parties would need to approve any release of value.

To collaterally assign your annuity, complete this printable collateral assignment form, get your signature notarized and send it to our home office. Mail the form to P.O. Box 2005, Rock Island, IL 61204-2005.

A: You may be able to access the cash surrender/account value of your plan without canceling your certificate (policy). Depending on the type of certificate you have, you may have one or more of the following options:

• Loan.
• Partial withdrawal.
• Release of dividends.

Contact your financial representative to see which option is best for you.

A: Some certificates (policies) allow you to take a loan against the cash surrender value in your life insurance certificate. Loans are subject to loan interest (at the rate stated in your certificate), which is added to the loan balance annually. Modern Woodmen will send loan interest statements to you every year on your anniversary month. If a loan is outstanding when you die and your certificate is still in force, your beneficiary will receive the death benefit minus the loan balance.

Some certificates allow you to take a partial withdrawal from the accumulated cash surrender value in your life insurance plan. There may be a processing fee for each withdrawal taken, depending on your plan. A partial withdrawal reduces the total death benefit by the amount withdrawn. Any gain will also be reportable as taxable income.

Some certificates earn dividends. A release of dividends is similar to a partial withdrawal. There is no fee to release dividends, and you can’t repay a dividend release. If you previously opted to receive paid-up additions for accumulated dividends, you will forfeit the additional insurance if you withdraw or release the cash value of the dividends.

A: Your decision to take a loan against the account value in your certificate (policy) should be made with care. Taking a loan could cause the insurance to terminate/lapse prematurely, which may cause a taxable gain.

Contact your financial representative to ask about loan availability on your certificate or log in to your member account to see if you have a loan amount available.

A: Your decision to withdraw value from your certificate (policy) should be made with care. Withdrawing funds from the account value can affect the insurance amount and/or cause the insurance to terminate/lapse prematurely.

You must complete a form (available on your online member account) each time you take a partial withdrawal on your life insurance certificate. Contact your financial representative to discuss your options, including how to increase your payments to extend the life of your insurance.

Note: Withdrawals are not available on term life insurance certificates.

A: If you have life insurance that earns dividends, you may be eligible to request a release of dividends. Contact your financial representative to learn more.

A: Your insurance coverage will terminate if your loan balance plus interest exceeds the cash surrender/account value of your certificate (policy). You will receive a statement annually on the interest amount added to the loan. If the loan balance plus interest exceeds the cash surrender/account value of your certificate, you will receive a termination notice. If your certificate terminates due to an outstanding loan balance, you will not be able to reinstate it.

A: Modern Woodmen offers several options to repay your loan. You can:

• Make a payment online by logging in to your member account.
• Authorize Modern Woodmen to debit your bank account each month for the amount you specify. To do this, complete an automatic bank check plan form.
• Elect to receive monthly or quarterly loan repayment notices for the amount you want to repay. Modern Woodmen sends quarterly billings in January, April, July and October. We send monthly billings the first of each month.
• Send a check or money order for your loan payments to Modern Woodmen’s home office by mail to P.O. Box 2005, Rock Island, IL 61204-2005. Reference the certificate (policy) number and include a note indicating the payment is for a loan and instructing the amount to be applied to the certificate.

At a minimum, we encourage you to pay the loan interest every year. You’ll receive a loan interest statement during your anniversary month each year.

A: Yes you may be able to, depending on the type of life insurance certificate (policy) you have and your current account/cash surrender value. Complete a partial withdrawal form to make this request. (Contact your financial representative to obtain the form.) Note: This may create a taxable event.

A: No, partial withdrawals cannot be repaid. However, depending on the type of plan you have, you may be able to increase your premium payments or add a lump-sum payment to replenish the plan’s cash/account value.

A: Yes. You can request your check to be sent by UPS to any street address. There is an additional fee for UPS delivery. Contact your financial representative to learn more.

A: Yes. You’re required to complete a direct deposit form with your bank information. Additional forms (available on your online member account) may be required. Contact your financial representative to learn more.

A: No. Checks will be made payable only to the certificate (policy) owner, unless the money is being exchanged or transferred to another company.

A: You may be able to request a partial withdrawal through your online member account.

• Go to Member Login to access your account.
• Select the View certificate details link for the annuity from which you’d like to make a withdrawal.
• Select the Withdrawal link under the Actions heading and follow the step-by-step instructions to make your request.

Some types of annuities don’t permit online requests for withdrawals, and other restrictions (such as minimum/maximum withdrawal amounts) apply.

Contact your local Modern Woodmen representative for additional details and assistance. Or call Modern Woodmen’s Service Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central), at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811.

A: Your annuity may have a withdrawal charge. Review the charge schedule in your certificate or contact your financial representative for more details.

A: All or a portion of the withdrawal may be taxable, depending on the type of annuity you have. If any portion is taxable, Modern Woodmen will mail a 1099-R tax form the following January for you to report on your income taxes. Contact your financial representative for more information.

A: Yes, you may be subject to an IRS premature distribution penalty on the taxable portion of withdrawals taken before age 59½. Some withdrawals may be exempt from this penalty. Check with your tax advisor to find out if your withdrawal is exempt.

A: No. Loans are not available on annuity certificates.

A: Depending on the type of annuity you have, your withholding status may be changed by completing a new withholding form. The form is accessible on your online member account or through your financial representative.

A: The minimum withdrawal amount is $200 and the account balance cannot be reduced below $500.

A: Choose from one of these premium payment options:

1. Pay online.
2. Pay by phone.
3. Automatically deduct your payments from your savings or checking account.
4. Mail a check or money order to Modern Woodmen’s home office.

Find more information on the Payment Options page of this website.

A: Yes. Visit the member website to make an online payment. 

A: An online payment request will authorize a debit to a valid checking or savings account. You will need to provide your bank's 9-digit routing number, account number and payor name on the account. Once the request is submitted, a debit will be issued to the designated account within 3 business days.
Debit and credit card information is not accepted at this time.

A: All data provided through the member website is secure. Your bank information will be used solely for collecting your premium.

A: No. There are no additional fees for these services.

A: No. The only way to pay a monthly premium is to have your premium deducted every month from your checking or savings account using the Automatic Bank Check Plan (ABC).

A: We don’t accept payments from a credit or debit card at this time. You can make premium payments over the phone using our tel-debit option by providing the Service Center representative with your checking or savings account information. Call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: To pay using tel-debit, contact Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central). Have the following details ready:

• Bank account holder’s name.
• Daytime telephone number.
• Bank routing number.
• Checking or savings account number.

There is no fee for this service.

A: Yes. Complete an automatic bank check authorization form with your bank routing and account numbers. You can also call Modern Woodmen’s home office Service Center with your routing and account numbers. Call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: The automatic bank check (ABC) plan offers the option to have premiums deducted every month from your savings or checking account. To sign up for this option, please complete the automatic bank check authorization form and mail it to our home office at 1701 1st Avenue, PO Box 2005, Rock Island, Illinois, 61201.

A: Modern Woodmen offers two debit day options – the first or 15th of every month.

• The first of the month option debits the premium for the current month. (For example, a May 1 debit pays for May’s premium.)
• The 15th of the month option debits for the next month’s premium. (For example, a May 15 debit pays for June’s premium.) To select the 15th as your debit date, your certificate (policy) must be paid through the month the debit is drawn.

A: To stop a debit set up on the first of the month, notify Modern Woodmen by phone no later than the last business day of the previous month. To stop a 15th of the month debit, notify Modern Woodmen by phone on or before the 15th of the month. If the 15th is not a business day, notify us prior to the 15th. Call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: Complete an automatic bank check authorization form with your new bank routing and account numbers. You can also call Modern Woodmen’s home office Service Center with your new routing and account numbers. Call 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: Modern Woodmen can mail your premium notice on a quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. You’ll receive a notice approximately two weeks before the premium is due, along with a preaddressed return envelope for your convenience. Make the payment using a personal check or money order. Please do not send cash.

A: Depending on the product, you may be able to increase or decrease the premium. Contact your financial representative to discuss your options.

A: Yes, you can change your payment mode to monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually at any time. Contact our home office Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central). Or e-mail Service.Center@modern-woodmen.org to make the change.

A: No. Contributions to nonqualified annuities, Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs are determined at the time the certificate was taken out. You may disregard your premium notice.

A: If you don’t make your premium payment by the due date, you’ll receive a premium reminder notice in the mail. All life insurance certificates have at least a one-month grace period before the insurance lapses. The grace period begins the day the premium was due. Contributions are optional for annuity certificates.

• If you don’t pay your life insurance premium and you don’t have an automatic premium loan option on your plan, your certificate (policy) will lapse at the end of the grace period.
• If the certificate has any cash surrender value, Modern Woodmen will use this value to provide either extended term insurance or reduced paid-up insurance, depending on the terms of the certificate.

Contact your financial representative for additional information about these options.

A: Your life insurance certificate (policy) is on a lapsed status if there is no cash surrender value once your grace period ends. The insurance is no longer in force. You may be able to apply to have your insurance reinstated, depending on how long your insurance has been on a lapsed status. Contact your financial representative to discuss options.

A: You may be asked to:

• Sign a form stating you’re still in good health.
• Answer health questions.
• Provide medical records, medical exams and/or other medical laboratory tests, similar to when you first applied for the insurance.

Additionally, you must pay all back premiums, plus interest, before the insurance can be restored.

To find out if your insurance can be reinstated, contact your financial representative.

A: No. The original certificate (policy) coverage won’t be restored until the insurance has been reinstated and the premiums are paid.

A: Go to Member Login to register. Click Sign Up Now and answer a short series of questions. You’ll need to enter:

• First and last name: Enter your first and last name exactly as they appear on the documents you receive from Modern Woodmen. If your name is incorrect in our records, please enter your name as Modern Woodmen lists it, then complete the Beneficiary/Name Change Form found in the Downloadable Forms area once you have access to the member website.
• Address: Enter your address.
• Phone number: Enter your phone number. The system will send a multifactor authentication code to this number.
• Date of birth: Enter your date of birth using the mm/dd/yyyy format.
• Social Security number: Enter the last four digits of your Social Security number. Note: Modern Woodmene may not have your Social Security number on file, or the number in Modern Woodmen’s files may be incorrect.

For more assistance, view these step-by-step directions for registering and verifying for your online account.

If you verify all the information entered but receive a message indicating that the information provided doesn't match our records, the Social Security number is most likely the culprit. To update your Social Security number in our records, please contact Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central). You should be able to register the following day.

Important note: If you are the applicant or assigned owner of the certificate, enter your name, date of birth and Social Security number. Don’t use the insured’s/annuitant’s information.

A: You can register for an online member account if you are:

• A person who owns a life insurance certificate (policy) or annuity on your own life.
• An applicant with your own certificate number. An applicant is an adult, such as a parent or grandparent, who owns life insurance or an annuity on a child. You can register even if you don’t have a product for yourself. See “How do I register if I am an applicant?” below if you have problems registering.
• An assignee with your own certificate number. An assignee is an individual owner of a certificate that has been absolutely assigned. Because of privacy concerns, certificates with multiple owners will not be accessible on the member website. Co-owners will not be able to register for the member website.
• A member who does not own life insurance or an annuity, but has purchased other products, such as mutual funds, through one of our subsidiaries. This type of registrant won’t have access to view account information online and will be limited to ordering fraternal programs.

You can't register for an online member account if you are:

• An owner or the insured on a certificate (policy) that has been absolutely assigned to a business or a trust.
• An applicant or assignee without your own certificate number.
• A co-owner of a certificate that has been absolutely assigned to more than one person.
• A child younger than 16.
• A parent of a child who owns a certificate. An individual may be the owner of a certificate starting at age 16. If the certificate was taken out before the child turned 16, the applicant typically remains owner of the certificate until the child’s 21st birthday. The applicant can elect to release control to the child between the ages of 16 and 21.
• A preferred benefit bank account holder. These individuals received death benefit proceeds in the form of a checking account. Modern Woodmen doesn’t store information on the balance of the account. Northern Trust is the bank that holds these accounts. Please contact them directly at 800-343-2551 for account information.
• A supplemental contract holder. This type of account results from receiving death proceeds as a beneficiary or from the maturity of an annuity or similar contract. It does not provide beneficial membership. For information about these accounts, please contact Modern Woodmen’s Claim Department at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: There are a few reasons why you may be unable to register, including:

• You may already be registered. Please select the Forgot your password? link.
• Your account may be blocked from online access. Please call Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).
• If you are the insured on the certificate, it may be owned by another individual. Please see "Who can and can't register for an online member account?" above.
• If you are receiving a message that says, "We are unable to locate the account using the information provided." …
• Please make sure you are eligible to register for a member account. See “Who can register?” and “Who can’t register” above.
• See “How do I register if I am the insured or annuitant?” or “How do I register if I am the applicant?” below.

A: There are a few possible reasons:

• You may be using an incorrect username or password. Select the Forgot your password? link.
• You may no longer have access to the phone number used for your multifactor authentication. Please call Modern Woodmen’s Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).
• Cookies might not be enabled on your computer. Enable them and try again.
• The date or time on your computer may be inaccurate. If the date on your computer is earlier than today's actual date, you won’t be able to login. Correct the date and/or time and try again.

A: You may be unable to see a certificate’s information if …

• The certificate is jointly owned.
• The certificate is assigned to a business or trust.
• We don’t have your Social Security number on file for that certificate.
• The certificate is for a third-party product, such as disability income insurance, health insurance and long-term care insurance. Though these products may be sold by Modern Woodmen representatives, they’re issued by companies that Modern Woodmen has agreements with. Please contact your representative for further information.
• The ownership of the certificate has changed.
• The account is a preferred benefit bank account. This type of account is issued when a death benefit has been paid through the form of a checking account. Modern Woodmen doesn’t store information on the balance of the account. Northern Trust is the bank that holds these accounts. Please contact them directly at 800-343-2551 for account information.
• The account has a supplemental contract. This type of account results from receiving a death benefit as a beneficiary, or from the maturity of an annuity/similar contract. It does not provide beneficial membership. For information about these accounts, please contact the Claim Department at 800-447-9811.
• The certificate is for a child, and the child is the owner of the certificate. This may happen if the child was age 16 or older when the certificate was purchased, or if the child has grown to age 21 or older.

A: You only have access to the certificates you own as the insured, an applicant or an individual assignee. Other family members will need to register separately.

A: You may have lost access if …

• The ownership of the certificate changed.
• You recently assigned control of your certificate to another individual or business.
• The insurance was for a child who recently turned 21. In this case, the child is now considered the owner of the certificate.
• The certificate is no longer in force. 

A: Yes; account holders may change certain beneficiary designation(s) on their certificate by logging into their online member account. Alternatively, members may complete a beneficiary change form and send it to Modern Woodmen’s headquarters to change the principal or contingent beneficiaries on life insurance or annuity certificate(s), or contact their Modern Woodmen representative.

A: A quick overview of the claim process is outlined on the File a Death Claim page of this website.

A: You can contact our home office Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central).

A: We’ll ask you to share:

• The deceased’s name and certificate (policy) number, if known.
• Date of death.
• Your name, as the person reporting the claim, and your relationship to the deceased.
• Name and contact information of beneficiary(ies), if known.

A: Modern Woodmen requires you to submit:

• A certified death certificate (includes a colored or raised seal).
• A claimant statement, which we will send to you.
• Any additional requirements stated in a letter we will send to you.

Please note: You don’t need to return the original life insurance or annuity certificate to us.

A: To pay the claim, we require a certified (original) copy of the insured’s or annuitant’s death certificate. A certified copy has a colored or raised seal.

A: Contact our home office Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811. Once the claim has been reviewed, a service representative can further assist you.

Please note: If you’re one of multiple beneficiaries, we can only release information about your share of the total amount of the claim. If applicable, we can release information about the entire benefit to the executor of the deceased’s estate.

A: Yes. To expedite your claim, you can fax your claimant statement and other documents to 309-793-5514 or email them to claim.department@modern-woodmen.org.

Please note: A certified (original) copy of the insured’s or annuitant’s death certificate (includes a colored or raised seal) will still need to be mailed to Modern Woodmen's Claim Department.

Modern Woodmen of America
Attention: Claim Department
1701 1st Avenue
P.O. Box 2005
Rock Island, IL 61204-2005

A: Yes. If the beneficiary wants Modern Woodmen to pay a portion of the proceeds directly to a funeral home to cover expenses, submit an assignment of life insurance proceeds form. Indicate the amount to be paid to the funeral home on this form. We will accept the funeral home’s version of the form, provided it is notarized. A copy of the funeral bill is necessary in the state of California.

A: You can receive payment as:

• A single check.
• A direct deposit into your bank account. You must submit the request for direct deposit of single payment form. This form will be included in your claim packet.
• Another settlement option. Please speak with a Modern Woodmen financial representative to discuss these options. Or call our home office Service Center at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811.

A: To check the balance of a preferred benefits account (PBA), or to ask questions about a PBA, please contact Northern Trust Bank at 800-343-2551.

A: Most claims process within 5-7 business days after we receive all the required documents. Beneficiaries usually receive payment shortly thereafter. Some claims may take longer.

A: Modern Woodmen pays interest to the beneficiary from the insured’s date of death until the date we pay the claim. If the amount is greater than $10, the interest may be taxable to the beneficiary.

A: Please send information to Modern Woodmen’s home office.

Modern Woodmen of America
Attention: Claim Department
1701 1st Avenue
P.O. Box 2005
Rock Island, IL 61204-2005

A: Due to privacy legislation passed by the US Congress, Modern Woodmen cannot release information that may exist in our records about a deceased relative’s membership.

A: Unfortunately, we don’t have resources available to research historical member files. If you’re conducting genealogical research, we recommend checking with a local historical society to see if they have records on specific Modern Woodmen camp/chapter members from that area.

A: Here’s some general information about common historical artifacts:

Ribbons, pins and jewelry: Decorative items were offered to members from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s as a way to signify their Modern Woodmen membership. The ribbons were often reversable, with a black side to be displayed at members’ funerals and memorials.

Grave markers: Modern Woodmen grave markers were sold from the early 1900s through the late 1970s. Most had a metal loop on the back for inserting a small American flag or a Modern Woodmen “In Memoriam” flag. Some members’ tombstones from this era also featured engravings of Modern Woodmen emblems. (See “What is the significance of emblems, initials or camp members?” below.)

Coins: From the late 1880s to the mid-1900s, some members carried coins made of copper, brass, aluminum or bronze to represent the value of their death benefit. These coins had no monetary value beyond being souvenir pieces.
Receipts and paperwork: Official receipts from clerks would have been provided to one of our members by a local Modern Woodmen camp (chapter) secretary in earlier days of the organization. Benefit fund assessment payments were used to fund the life insurance benefits for members in that particular camp. When a member of the camp died, these payments were collected from the other members to pay the widow.

Swords, sabers, knives and axes: These were ceremonial props used by Modern Woodmen Foresters drill teams in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Swords and sabers were usually reserved for officers in the drill teams. (See “What were the Modern Woodmen Foresters?” below.)

A: Our Enterprise Communications Department determines which historical items to receive or purchase on a case-by-case basis, and it depends largely on whether a similar item is already in our inventory. To submit an item for consideration, contact Communications@modern-woodmen.org. Please share as many photos and details of the item as possible.

To donate a historical item to Modern Woodmen, please send it to:

Modern Woodmen of America
Attn: Enterprise Communications
1701 First Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201

A: Artifacts may feature several icons and emblems, including:

• An axe, representing industry.
• A beetle (or mallet), representing power.
• A wedge, representing progress.
• A log and maple leaf, representing protection and brotherhood.
• A palm, representing peace.
• Stars, representing light.
• A shield, representing safety.

Many Modern Woodmen of America artifacts also include the initials “M.W.A.,” as well as a camp number. Camps (now called chapters) signify local Modern Woodmen membership groups. Today, there are more than 3,500 Modern Woodmen chapters, Summit chapters (for members age 55+) and youth service clubs across the United States.

A: The Modern Woodmen Foresters were uniformed drill teams from 1890 to the early 1930s. They consisted of eight to 16 men between the ages of 18 and 24, plus a captain. The term "Forester" was adopted from the start of the organization, as Modern Woodmen leaders interpreted the marchers as "guardians of the forest." Foresters marched in parades to promote Modern Woodmen activities and membership.

To learn more, see our related historical video and read one member’s story about his father, who was a Forester.

A: This facility opened as a fraternal benefit for members on Jan. 1, 1909, near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Tuberculosis, known as “the white plague,” was the leading cause of death of our members at the time. Modern Woodmen provided members a care facility to prevent premature deaths and educate them, along with their families, about healthy lifestyles. Treatment was free, and any beneficial member who had tuberculosis could be admitted.

To learn more, see our related historical video and read about Modern Woodmen’s perseverance through uncertain times.